Brian's Brain

'My Daughter is a Girl' leaves the nest!

2011-05-23T07:05:00.000-07:00

My last film, "My Daughter is a GIrl" is officially done with the festival circuit. I always wonder about posting it, sending out, all alone, in to the cruel, cruel world; able to be downloaded and have all sorts of unspeakable things done to it, having to fend for itself. But then I think, "I have trained you well, you have to survive on your own" and off it goes. I think there is alot of controversy about putting your stuff out there for 'free'. Most of this comes from old-school folks who were always taught that this a bad, bad thing. I fell in to this group for a while. But now I see it as marketing. This film had a good life and if it brings any more work as a result of someone seeing it, it can have another great run for me. It does me or anyone else any good for it to see on a hard drive gathering dust, right? so I hope you enjoy it, feel free to pass it along to anyone you know! Here is the link to Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOhTBKLvb9g

Book Illustrations

2011-04-29T09:21:00.000-07:00

Alright, so I have been pecking away at my diminishing free-time and trying to get this book thing to a point I can shop it around (so I can then get back to work on my film). I am not quite half-way through painting the characters. of course, I landed on a method that is neither fast or easy or consistent. so in order to see if I am off base with it, I am posting a work-in-progress on the 'look'. any thoughts?

ready...discuss

2010-12-30T06:17:00.000-08:00

lately I have been pre-occupied with the concept of 'appeal' in design and animation. Some people know this word as 'quality' and even more people know this word as aesthetics. to me, its that undefinable concept of what makes a work of art 'good' a purely subjective term that in one sense, can't be defined. but that only suggests that it doesn't exist, when it does in every place we look. I try to get my students to recognize it, strive for it, make it a part of their work from the very start, but without being able to define it, how can I expect them to use it? It's a very complex and vexing situation for me. If anyone has any thoughts on this, let me know. as my train of thought travels down these rails, I will, undoubtedly, add more to this discussion.

cheers

some new backgrounds

2010-12-29T07:03:00.000-08:00

and by 'new' I mean, of course, old looking. I did these for a recent job that wanted a limited style of animation. I like working in this manner, it makes me think hard about what is really important to the shot and how to compose it so each element retains its importance. When I add the characters to the shot they become graphic elements as well, and if it works, everything fits and the shot looks more 'populated' than it actually is. I suggest every animator study graphic design in their downtime, it does so much for your sense of space.

Book Art

2010-10-04T12:01:00.000-07:00

SO I have finally found some time (how many of my posts begin with that?) to work on painting the illustrations for my children's book manuscript. I have been fiddlin' around with different applications, trying to keep it all digital, and found a process I am happy with. the textures are close to what I want, I think it needs some tweeking here and there, and my sense of color could use a cold, hard slap in the face, but I am on the right track. that track, by the way, is the one diverting me from my film, but I am also doing a little of the film now. more to come?

acceptance!

2010-08-22T10:30:00.001-07:00

My film "My Daughter is a Girl!' has been officailly accepted in to two festivals so far! I am waiting to hear on one more. I kept the entries low, not expecting much. but if I had known I would get these ultra cool laurels sent to me, I would have entered anything that I could! can I wear this on my hat?

some early sketches

2010-08-22T10:27:00.000-07:00

and here are a few early sketches in the design process. i am not posting all of them. I think I am pretty close on this dude, he may change a bit in the storyboarding process depending on how his acting affects his personality and his 'look'. these earlier ones he is a bit too fat, I think. yes?

latest film designs

2010-08-22T10:23:00.001-07:00

so I am currently embroiled in the storyboards for my latest film, tentatively titled 'UnResolved'. but before i can get any of those done, I needed characters, obviously. The story is awesome, and the main character, who does not have or need a name, is kind of a milquetoast, wimpy, but curious dude. He needs to look submissive, but with a scent of wanting to regain control of his life. He is not a killer, not exactly a victim, but not aggressive either. The mosquito still has room for development, I think. He needs an eye at least, but his movement will do more to describe him than an expression will. I cant decide on the hat or any other clothing for him. any opinions?

Color Backgrounds

2010-05-03T17:48:00.001-07:00

here are a few of the backgrounds for the Arctic Spot. I designed the background elements, and the very, very talented Jenny Kincaid (thanks Jenny!) painted them digitally.

Storyboard Work

2010-01-31T11:57:00.000-08:00

some storyboard panels I did for a cool client. Just a few panels to sell the idea, not enough to really explain the whole spot. you can see these again on my storyboard post,

Layouts

2010-01-31T11:48:00.000-08:00

so I've been working lately on some layouts for a NEW spot for Arctic Chiropractic in Alaska. I love the layout stage. I get to pay attention to acting, poses, composition, background design, aesthetic quality, character, and the animatability of the layouts (maybe they can be used as keyframes in some cases. The one with the 'three' bears are the 3 poses I did laid on one BG so you can see the progression of the action. the other one with the family fishing gives an idea of the overlapping and depth of the entire scene. enjoy!

new sketchbookery

2009-04-20T16:28:00.000-07:00

These are actually some concept designs for a (let's call it a 'flawed') concept, as is most of my design work these days, tho not all of it flawed, but all of it is proprietary (sp?) so I cant really post images.

but here you go for now!

previous stuff

2009-02-14T12:15:00.000-08:00

Just a few more from the (now dormant) Kerplunk site. Check back often for new sketches, designs and thoughts on animation in general and 2D animation, specifically.

Sketchbookery and Designs

2009-02-14T12:05:00.000-08:00

As of Friday the 13th, Kerplunk Animation has merged with Mongadillo Studios! Mongadillo is an award winning studio where we will be working on commercials, short films, and developing a boatload of cool properties. I am the Director of Animation, I tried for 'Supreme Allied Commander' but that title is apparently taken.

here are some of the files from the previous version of Kerplunk. check out the Mongadillo link to see waht the awesome studio is all about!

Ottawa!

2008-09-23T10:37:00.000-07:00

I just returned from Ottawa a few days ago. I went out for the Television Animation Conference and the festival. I had an amazing time, and I have stories to tell! but that requires typing and I just dont have the where-with-all to type that much right now. but I will, I promise. in the meantime, I have to share this. I ran in to Mo Williams, we have met and hung out prior to this trip. we were waiting for the bus to take us to the picnic. she was with her husband, the amazing and funny, funny Richard Williams ( who I had taken a masterclass from years ago and he thought he recognized my name. how nice of him to lie like that) and teh legend known as John Canemaker. we decidec a cab would be faster, so I got the opportunity to taake 2 cab rides and hang out all afternoon with these legends of animation! I was overwhelmed. They will be in Portland soon and I hope to spend more time with them. I took these pictures, firts, of all threee of them, then growled at myself for not being in the picture! but then I got one of me and John later. they were so funny and genuine. and I promised Mo I would have a dead-on impersonation of her accent by the time she arrives in portland.

oh, and these

2008-09-23T10:27:00.001-07:00

these were for a few series pitches I had been working on. one idea is mine and one is for somebody else who is not me. they are both sort of shelved for the time being, as other ideas have received some really great interest form network muckity mucks. I'll post images of those soon, if I can.

other projects

2008-09-23T10:22:00.000-07:00

I cant really talk about these, as they are for projects still in th' works, as they say, but I like the way some of these are going....any thoughts?

short film

2008-09-23T10:18:00.000-07:00

and then there's this: here is a character for a short film I'm doing called "My Daughter's a Girl". profound, I know. I hope to have screen tests up soon, the animation is nearly done, then the assisting will happen. i met an great animator/director from Rio de Janero ( I know I spelled that wrong) last week named Rodrigo ( we met in Ottawa) and we talked for a long time about style, etc. I love to be inspired by cool animators. the trouble is, a new idea has taken root in my head and I am really, really eager to get started on it! where are we with that cloning thing, anyway?

the other images are development sketches for the film.

my take on it

2008-08-21T15:25:00.000-07:00

and here is still form my film. Obviously I had to make up a story, which I admit is not really that clear in the film, but that doesn't really matter, does it?
after teh way-too-long process of cleaning the rough animation, I will paint it.
all while working on my Master's film ( My Daughter is a Girl) and several other freelance projects. so you'll forgive the lack of interesting posts here, as its kind of obvious what I am up to.

here is an image from the film:

one of the films

2008-08-21T15:21:00.000-07:00

so I am now in the cleanup stage of one of my films. This one is called 'Acquiesce' and its based on a Klee etching I have always liked. His original etching has no official title, but it has come to be known as 'two men meet each supposing the other to be of higher rank'. here is is original first:

and a pinch to grow on

2008-03-04T21:48:00.000-08:00

I just thought I'd throw in this hottie naked soccer mom. she has a lure about her, don'cha think?

color thing

2008-03-04T21:39:00.000-08:00

I found some time to play around with painter. I know it has a ton of cool abilities, but I never had time to get in the program deep enough. so this is just a color test. I really dont like the drawing very much, but I like the direction the color is going. i think I can come up with some good stuff after a few more tries, but I thought I'd post the first go 'round.

New Images

2007-11-07T08:59:00.000-08:00

First, I'd like to say hello to all the folks from The Portland Animator's Group on the Frederator Blog! HELLO! I love it when I find more people in town with cool ideas and mad drawing skills. it makes me want to not work and just sketch and visit all day. and man, do I wish I could spend more time writing on this thing. I'd like to post more shorts and inspirational movies I've found. I think it will happen someday.

but for now, I have a few more sketches to put up.I was able to clear enough off my plate to actually sketch something I liked, so here ya go!

I promise, if you keep checking back, I'll have more interesting things to say than just yammering on about my stuff.

There has been a small outcry for more naked soccer moms, who am i to ignore the demands of the people??

sketchbookery

2007-08-01T16:47:00.000-07:00

I borrowed this phrase from Joe! Thanks Joe ! I love it! I am going to write more when I find some time and my studio isn't so bloody hot, but here are some new sketches. any comments?

an homage

2007-08-01T16:41:00.000-07:00

I know this is a stretch, but here is a tribute to a favorite painter of mine, Thomas Eakins. I love his sense of light and color. This the Swimming Hole, done in 1884. I studied this while starting a Master's program at the University of Montana and the instructor called it 'Diego and his Friends' because he had a dog named Diego who looked just like the dog in the picture. so many of the younger students still think that is the real name of the painting! I love that he did this and it makes me think of when I tech, what bad jokes are my students taking for real? anyways, here is the inspiration, and my quicksketch depiction of it ( think I need more figures?)

more soccer moms

2007-08-01T16:32:00.001-07:00

do you remember that scene in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, you know the one, where Richard Dreyfus cant get the image of Devil's Tower ou tof his mind. I have the same thing with naked soccer moms. I sit down at the Cintiq and these images come to mind. I really don't know what I am trying to accomplish from it, I may have mentioned this all in an earlier post. I am fascinated by the thought of women who were once really hot, but motherhood and time have taken their toll ( hey, were all there at some point) and now they are trying to look sexy again ( for their husbands?) but cant get the essence back in their moods. I love humans! we are so weird. anyways, these sketches stem from that impulse...

developments...

2007-06-27T10:55:00.000-07:00

so, I am playing around with Sketchbook Pro ( very cool, its got a great pencil feel, even on the Cintiq!) and am posting various sketches. You'll probably see these develop down the road, color,etc. any thoughts?

nekkid Soccer Moms

2007-06-27T10:48:00.000-07:00

I am spending a lot of time sketching naked soccer moms, for some reason. I seem to be fascinated by the idea of formerly good looking women who are now busy being moms, shuttling the kids around, and still trying to be sexy. let's see where this goes...

Look, I found some time!

2006-07-29T15:58:00.000-07:00

so between teaching 5, count 'em five, classes, starting my Master's program, planning a wedding, working on a children's book, my film, a few freelance design jobs and trying to maintain my dwindling relationships, I found some time to sketch! and post 'em too! But, it ate into my 'witty ramblings' part, so you'll have to fill in your own quips here until I find time to put more stuff up here. enjoy!

sketch and purge

2006-04-14T09:20:00.000-07:00

you know how sometimes you get a little food caught in your throat and you think its going to go down so you keep shoveling more food in, but it just keeps piling up behind the first chunk? me too. this appealing metaphor is kind of like my sketching right now. I am a little blocked, and I keep making more sketches that arent really satisfying my appetite, but are somwhow working to unclog the pile-up. but boy! what a tidal wave of chewed up goodness I'll have soon!

o.k. that got way out of hand. note to self: make better metaphors.

anyways, here are a few of the latest chewy bits...

grrrrr

2006-03-30T17:01:00.000-08:00

hee hee hee. this one leaked out. so much fun when these things find th elight of day. I like the way he turned out, except the clothing is kind of dullsville. perhaps I'll clean him up and color him. ok now, back to work...

bl

doolin'

2006-03-30T10:09:00.000-08:00

there is so much inspiration out there! put some 80's music on the itunes, coffee directly in front of me and fiancé out of town, and voila! sketches! I think I'm getting back to something I can respect, but still a long way to go. wha' happened? to omuch time teachin gthe stuff, and not enough time doing it. damn responsibilty.

bl

getting back on track

2006-03-30T10:06:00.000-08:00

so lately it has been so hard to draw. I beat myself up trying to get something I like. and, for some reason, I can kind of break through the barrier by drawing people in saggy underwear, the kind where all the elasticity has left the things. it is cathartic, I reccomend it. if you recognize yourself here it is unintentional, I promise.

bl

jury doodie!

2006-03-30T10:04:00.000-08:00

so I started my spring break by reporting to jury duty. My luck is bottomless. here are some sketches of my fellow apathetic servants. notice the forced attempt to look disaffected so as not to be chosen for a long trial.

a test

2006-02-14T17:27:00.000-08:00

so, its not letting me upload images from Illustrator, let me try a simple pencil sketch.. I cn tell you all are waiting patiently to see these guys...

bl

trouble

2006-02-14T17:22:00.000-08:00

this thing is not letting me upload images, I may throw up a few test imges here, obviously you did not see the really cool charcter designs from the last post...

ALIVE!

2006-01-12T14:51:00.000-08:00

I wish I could say I have been stuck atop a high mountain, and just returned to civilization, but the truth is, my arm was eaten clean off by wolverines, and it just now grew back. but the good news is, I am back to putting up stuff on this thing. its been very hard to find time to sketch latley. this is a series of characters I'm developing for a project, aimed at a younger audience than normal. it'll be great fun to animate, too! more on the way....

not feeling good

2005-11-22T21:44:00.000-08:00

I had a little tummy trouble the last few days, this is all I could crank out that wasnt besmerched with bad venison. gross.
see you after Thanksgiving!

bl

at your request

2005-11-18T09:11:00.000-08:00

I had to dig this up, my current sketching is put on hold, but did someone request more dogs?
more dogs is always a good thing.

bl

Sweet Sara Vicious

2005-11-16T14:00:00.000-08:00

o.k., so some people have been asking about this 'film' thing I mentioned. here are a few prepatory sketches of Sara to start. The story itself is based on a poem I wrote a few years ago. if you need more info than that, you'll have to call or write. and yes...its taking FOREVER!

funny

2005-11-16T09:35:00.000-08:00

somethin' about this guy that cracks me up. its just something i'm working on for my film ( read: my albatross ) To clarify some previosu comments, this thing is a demon-like creature. part man, part goat, part beastie. thats why it looks like it does.

bl

2 more

2005-11-14T22:31:00.000-08:00

I'm still trying to get the proper bratty-ness to this kid. I like how he looks sinister and still somehow likeable. I think its the big head-little body syndrom that makes him at all appealing. later.

bl

one before bed

2005-11-14T21:45:00.000-08:00

a quick Frazetta rip-off. gotta love the socks.

bl

love that 'tude

2005-11-13T17:15:00.000-08:00

here is a sketch of some characters I've been developing for a project. Trying to get the attitude dynamics between characters is always fun for me. sometimes I get it.

bl

the first Briday!

2005-11-11T14:56:00.000-08:00

hello. as I catapult myself into the 21st century, I thought i should start a blog of my drawings, sketches, and mental vomit that until now had no place to land. so clear a place on your lap, and look for a steamy pile of stuff to show up shortly. I've decided to take at least one full day a week and dedicate it to MY stuff, not any paying gigs, no work stuff, but a block of time dedicated to my pet projects, I call this day Briday. it moves around the week at will. I like that quality in a day.
As far as content, I am a cartoonist/animator/character designer in Portland, Oregon and fill my days in a number of ways, ( mostly legal ) but lately I've been feeling disconnected to the vast web of other spare bedroom dwelling animators in the world, so I'll try to put up a continuous poo poo platter of characters, ideas, previous sketches, and the like up here and maybe get some feedback and connection to the rest of the world.
hello?....is there anyone out there?

see you soon!

Brian